| N.C. A&T honored the courageous legacy of Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond -- better known collectively as the A&T Four – on Feb. 1, in the Alumni Foundation Event Center as part of the 57th Anniversary of the February One Sit-In.
In 1960, the four freshmen sat down at a segregated F.W. Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro to protest segregation laws and societal norms they deemed to be unfair and unjust. Their singular act has been credited with igniting “sit-in” demonstrations across the country, particularly by college students.
Decades later, their protest remains of the most well-known sit-ins of the Civil Rights Movement. While Khazan and McNeil are the only surviving members of the legendary group (Richmond passed away in 1990 and McCain in 2014), all are deeply venerated at A&T: A sculpture of the Four is one of the campus’ most beloved landmarks, and four residence halls bear their names.
This year’s theme, “Legacy to Legacy: The Movement and Beyond,” connected the Four’s place in history as gamechangers and active participants for social justice in their community with the current continued fight for equality and justice.
More than just a historic example, the A&T Four’s actions continue to serve today as a model for non-violent approaches to social change, informing activists today in responding to current social injustices.
The celebration included:
- The Sit-In Breakfast
- Presentations and special guests including surviving members of the A&T Four
- A symbolic, collective walk to the Deese Clock Tower
- Laying of a memorial wreath at the February One Monument and
- A student roundtable discussion with the A&T Four in Harrison Auditorium
During the breakfast, the university present the Human Rights Medal to Dorothy Ann Pryor Dobson. The 1957 alumna, along with her husband James Dobson, had a dream to provide "humanity through housing" for families who were unable to secure decent and affordable housing in Rochester, New York.
The Human Rights Medal was established in honor of the 1960 courageous actions taken by Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond, better known as the A&T Four.
The award is given annually by N.C. A&T to recognize individuals who have endeavored to correct social injustice and have significantly contributed to the betterment of the world. |
